Introducing 5 of the oldest restaurants in Paris
To say that Paris has a strong restaurant history is a bit of an understatement. After all, this city literally invented the restaurant, and it has become the most iconic food capital on the planet. But this did not happen overnight. Here are the places (at least, the ones that are still open) that helped make the Paris food scene what it is today…
Bofinger Bofinger
Opening: 1864
Feature: The most beautiful restaurant in Paris
Founded in 1864 and a few steps from Place Vosges and Place de la Bastille, Brasserie Bofinger is considered “the most beautiful restaurant in Paris”. Deep in the heart of the 4th arrondissement of Paris in a beautiful Epoque setting, come and discover the great quality of a traditional Alsatian dish.
In 1864, Frederic Bofinger, a native of Colmar, opened a modest establishment near the Bastille, right on the edge of the Marais and the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, the preferred quarters of many Alsatians who had worked in carpentry and cabinetmaking since the 16th century. .
Bofinger was the first restaurant in Paris to offer beer on tap. Beer was served in clay pots that customers brought themselves, along with delicious meats and sauerkraut, the temperature of the beer was between 18 and 25 degrees. In 1919, Bofinger expanded and underwent an amazing renovation. Tufted sofas, beveled mirrors, pendant lights and paintings…the Belle Epoque decore was bright with joy and life. The walls declared Art Nouveau and Alsace enchanted and liberated. It was a place for joy, laughter and fun in a beautiful and colorful party.
La Petite Chaise
Opening: 1680
Feature: It calls itself the oldest restaurant in Paris
What you get: French classics like onion soup and steak tartare
La Petite Chaise calls itself the oldest restaurant in Paris, dating back to the time of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The decor backs up this claim with candelabras and vintage portraits on the walls. The border is hard, but you get used to it. The dish is classic French, with onion soup, steak tartare and duck appearing on the menu. While not a place the locals frequent, it must be doing something right to have survived for over 300 years.
La Tour d’Argent money tower
Opening: 1582
Feature: For the first time in the 1500s, the use of forks became popular
What you get: Tour d’Argent duckling
The restaurant, which claims to date back to the 16th century, has been a favorite of kings and emperors over the years. It was here that King Henry III of France apparently first used a fork in the 1500s, forever changing the way the French ate. While still popular with the upper set (note the prices), its history, views overlooking Notre Dame, and Michelin star make it one of the most iconic tables in Paris. He procures these ducks from his own farm and has served more than a million of them.
Le Procope
Opening: 1686
Feature: The first and oldest cafe in the city
What you get: Coq au vin, vanilla profiteroles
Few Parisians rush to dine at Le Procope, a favorite among tourists visiting the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. It was here that items like sherbet and coffee became popular in Paris, making it essentially the first and oldest café in the city. The establishment is no stranger to out-of-towners—Napoleon Bonaparte and Benjamin Franklin are among the long list of notable names who have passed through its doors. It is a classic French dish.
Au Chien Qui Fume smoking dog
Opening: 1740
What you get: Crustaceans and anything from the sea
The Smoking Dog has a lot of old world charm in the decor and great service, with quirky dog figurines all over the place. The restaurant was once a hangout for market men who worked at Les Halles, the wholesale market that once stood directly opposite. Today, it’s an unpretentious place that many seek to relive the Paris of yesteryear with familiar French dishes, including plenty of oysters. The fixed price is also a fairly good deal for this part of town.
Source: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/paris/the-11-oldest-restaurants-in-paris